Great for Arthritic Dogs, or Extremes of Hot and Cold
Written: Jul 23 '08
Product Rating:
Pros: Reasonably priced. Works well. Appears sturdy. For arthritic dogs, joint problems, hot or cold floors.
Cons: Takes two people for proper assembly (and one dog).
The Bottom Line: Great for dogs with arthritis, joint problems, hip dysplasia, advanced age, or extreme climates. Easy assembly with two people, screwdriver, and 15 minutes from unloading to assembled.
salme's Full Review: Coolaroo Medium Foldable Steel Framed Pet Bed Stee...
The Coolaroo pet bed is essentially a cot, about 7 inches off the ground, made of steel rods and green (or gray) material. It comes in three sizes; for our 40-lb. dog, I got the medium size, which allows Teddy to lay comfortably on his side, stretched out.
Although this product advertises the coolness aspect, I've found it to be a great bed for my 16-year-old (that's 95 to you and me) Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier. The cot takes pressure off the dog's joints by providing a springy base.
The cot material is a bit slippery for an old dog to handle, and the material will sag a bit under his feet, as if he's on a trampoline. I've paired it with a egg-foam crate bed on top, and put slip-proof material between the Coolaroo and the egg foam, so Ted doesn't slip around.
Teddy has very little trouble getting on and off of it. For a younger dog, I'd put a regular pet bed on top of it for indoor or outdoor use. In hot weather, I'd use it by itself outdoors. In cold weather indoors, I'd put a blanket or pet bed on it.
Assembly:
The bed assembles in minutes with one flat-head screwdriver and a friend. It does require two people to assemble the bed; to prevent twisting during assembly, assemble it on a flat surface, in position (upright, as it would sit when assembled). The helper will need to hold down the frame while the last screw goes in.
Users on other sites have reported twisting of the frame during assembly. It does tend to twist when you put the last screw in, so be careful and keep it flat while you tighten the last screw. Also, ensure that the threads on the last screw go in straight.
After laying the dog on the bed the first time, Teddy has taken to it well. He uses it nightly, and often during the day (at 95, he sleeps a lot).
Benefits:
This product has spared us sleeplessness. Ted used to get up hourly every night just to pace, as if it was painful for him to lay on the hard floor for extended periods, even with thick pillow-beds or blankets. I can tell he is more comfortable on the Coolaroo, because he snores again in this bed, and sleeps for hours unperturbed.
Analysis:
This product is easy to put together, reasonably priced, and easily accommodates a 40-pound dog. The Coolaroo keeps the pet off the hot or cold floor, and supports an old dog comfortably. I use this product indoors.
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